Things Every Tenant Should Do Prior to Moving In

Moving into a rental unit has its perks. Unlike
homeowners who take on a significant financial responsibility, renters don’t
have to worry about things like property damage and repairs. If you’re
fortunate enough, you may even find a rental property in which you’re not
responsible for any maintenance or property-related services and only have to
pay the rent each month. As beneficial as it can be to become a tenant, it
isn’t without its risks. All too often tenants find themselves in the midst of
a legal battle with their landlord which could have been avoided.

To ensure that you don’t fall into those same
traps, it is necessary that you do your due diligence prior to moving in.

Research Your Landlord and the Property

When applying to live in a rental unit you’re
often required to provide references and other identifying information that
allows the landlord to get a better understanding of who you are and how likely
you are to pay the rent on time. The property owner shouldn’t be the only one
doing some digging, however. You too should conduct some research of your own.

Find out more about your landlord and the status
of the property before moving in. Is the property in foreclosure? Are their tax
liens on it? Does your landlord had a bunch of financial problems? How have
they treated tenants in the past? You can check online reviews and/or visit
your local county courthouse to check public property records.

Review the Rental Agreement (Completely)

So, you’re excited about moving in and can’t
wait to get your keys. As anxious as you might be you should never sign a lease
without reviewing it from start to finish. This agreement is a legally binding
contract between you and the property owner. If you simply sign, you could
later find out that you’ve obligated yourself to a nightmare. Review things
like visitor limits, fees, rent increases, pet policies, maintenance and repair
requirements, etc. If there are things missing from the lease, be sure to ask
your landlord about them prior to signing.

Invest in Renter’s Insurance

If you thought that your landlord’s property
insurance would cover any damages to your personal belongings should something
go wrong, you should think again. In the event that your home or apartment gets
robbed, flooded, or a fire breaks out and your personal belongings were ruined,
it will be entirely up to you to replace them. You should compare renters insurance quotes online to see how much it will cost. You can decide which service
provider is best after you’ve made the decision to move into the unit.

Do a Thorough Move-in Inspection

Prior to signing the lease, you should demand
that your landlord goes with you to the property to do an inspection. You want
to make sure that the unit is up to code, safe, and decent for you to live in.
As you’re walking through, the landlord will likely have a checklist to make
note of the status of the property. As an added layer of protection, it couldn’t
hurt for you to take pictures of the house or apartment. This will be
instrumental should they try to keep your security deposit due to damages you
didn’t cause.

Many would say that renters have it made. They
get to live in someone else’s property and only worry about paying the rent
each month. Though it can be a lot less stressful than owning a home, keep in
mind, there are still risks involved. To protect yourself should you have a
dispute with your landlord, damage to the property, or face eviction, do your due diligence by completing all of the above-mentioned
steps BEFORE signing on the dotted line or moving in.